Weather-tight reverse locking device



Dec. 17, 1968 L. KOGAN 3,416,259

WEATHER-TIGHT REVERSE LOCKING DEVICE Filed Feb. 28, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR- LEIII Kmgun BY ea. 17, 5 KOGAN 3,416,259

WEATHER-TIGHT REVERSE LOCKING DEVICE Filed Feb. 28, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVFNTOR.

L E E1 Kmgun WJM United States Patent 3,416,259 WEATHER-TIGHT REVERSE LOCKING DEVICE Leo Kogan, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Monsanto Company, St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 28, 1967, Ser. No. 619,235 8 Claims. (Cl. 49320) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A weather-tight reverse locking device designed to seal sliding or fixed panels such as windows or doors from weather and the elements, e.g., rain, wind, dust, pollen, etc. The weather-tight locking device of the present invention comprises one or more sliding or fixed panels, a mounting frame and a movable locking bar having a sealing block attached thereto on the outside portion of the bar and wherein the bar is movably mounted on the mounting frame. The movable locking bar is designed to be pulled into the mounting frame and when in the closed position the sealing block is firmly pressed against the outside or weatherside of the panels forming an excellent seal against the weather and the elements.

This invention relates to a weather-tight reverse locking device for sealing fixed or sliding panels such as sliding doors and windows and other related structures from the weather and other elements such as rain, dust, wind, pollen, etc.

For many years now the use of sliding door or sliding window type construction has found wide acceptance in the building trade. This type of construction is characterized by both an aesthetic appearance and functional characteristics which has enabled it to be readily used and widely accepted. One of the problems associated with slid ing door and sliding window construction is that this type of construction is not as weather-tight as the conventional double hung window or hinged door construction. This lack of total weather-proofness in sliding panel construction is due to the opening required for either a top or bottom track and the practice of raising the bottom edge of the panel off of the lower unit surface so as to allow the panel to slide freely. These track openings afford an entry into the building structure through which rain, dust, wind, pollen, 'etc., may enter. Furthermore, these openings may be a source of drafts which may adversely affect the health and comfort of the occupants of the building.

Those skilled in the art have long recognized the problem of the lack of weather-tightness in sliding panel construction and the need-for sealing sliding panels from the weather. The typical approach has been the use of caulking, rubber stripping and other related means which are temporary at best and unsightly and inefficient at worst. US. Patents 2,961,263 and 3,017,212 describe sash locks for sliding windows which afftfords excellent protection for locking the window shut and providing some measure of security against burglars or other intruders. However, these inventions do not offer any solution for sealing the glazing or door unit and locking out the weather. A definite need exists for a weather-tight locking system which will provide a convenient eflicient solution to the problem of weatherproofing sliding and fixed panels such as sliding windows and doors and other related construction.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel weather-tight reverse locking device for sliding doors, sliding Window and fixed panel construction.

It is another object to provide a weather-tight closure for use in building construction which can be sealed out to keep out weather and the elements.

In accordance with this invention, the locking device provided comprises a first member having an elongated channel along the length thereof and adapted to be rigidly attached to the sill of an opening in a structure, a second member having a portion adapted to slidably move forward and backward within the channel of said first member, and means to move the second member in relationship to the first member.

The means by which the foregoing objects are accomplished will be readily understood by reference to the following description and to the attached drawings. The device of the present invention is referred to as a weathertight reverse locking device as it is actuated by drawing the sealing block in toward the panel to be sealed as opposed to a forward movement of the sealing block which unseals the panel.

FIGURE 1 illustrates two slidable panels, 15, mounted on a locking bar, 11, and pressed against the sealing'block, 14. Also shown is a mounting frame, 31, which is designed to receive the locking bar, 11. The panels illustrated in FIGURE 1 are of the type that slide into a recession constructed on each side of the door or window frame and when in the closed position meet in a butt type joint.

FIGURE 2 illustrates the weather-tight sealing block construction used with overlapping or by-pass sliding panel construction.

FIGURE 3 illustrates a typical mounting frame for use with the weather-tight reverse locking device of the present invention.

FIGURE 4 is an exploded view of a cam type device for actuating the weather-tight reverse locking device.

FIGURE 5 illustrates a carriage type devicefor actuating the weather-tight reverse locking device.

FIGURE 6 illustrates a glazing unit wherein all four sides are sealed with the weather-tight reverse locking device of this invention.

Referring in greater detail to the drawings, FIGURE 1 illustrates butt type sliding panels, 15, located on a locking bar, 11. The locking bar has an outside or weather-side upwardly turned portion, 12, with an inwardly turned edge, 13. Positioned between the upper leg, 12, of the locking bar and the panel, 15, is a sealing block, 14, detachedly fixed to the locking bar, which sealing block is illustrated as pressed against the panel in a closed position. The locking bar is provided with slots, 18, which serve as drain holes in the event that the panels are left open in the rain. The locking bar may optionally be fitted with a channel, 16, for receiving the lower edge of the panel and of such a width as will permit slight lateral movement of the panels, 15, against the inside bank of the channel, 16, or against the face, 34, of the mounting frame.

The locking bar illustrated in FIGURE 1 has two holes, 17, which are designed to receive the cam disc which is illustrated in FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 1 also illustrates the slidable interrelationship of the locking bar, 11, in a mounting frame, 31.

FIGURE 2 is a top view of overlapping or by-pass panel construction which illustrates two panels, 15, in the closed position. The sealing block, 14, is illustrated in a nearly closed position having its sealing surface in close proximity to the panels.

FIGURE 3 illustrates a typical mounting frame, 31, which is fastened to the window or door opening in the building construction. The mounting frame may be fastened with conventional means such as nails, screws, rivets, bolts, adhesives, etc. The particular type of construction illustrated is equipped with a slot, 33, which is designed to receive the end of the locking bar, 11. The mounting frame is provided with holes, 32, for receiving the assembly pin, 42, of the cam type locking device which is illustrated in FIGURE 4. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the mounting frame for use with the actuating device of FIGURE would have holes in the vertical surfaces rather than the horizontal surfaces. In general, the mounting frame and/ or locking bar may be tapped to receive virtually any of the well-known types of actuating devices.

The face, 34, of the mounting bar which may serve as an inside mate to the sealing block may optionally be coated with a soft nonabrasive material. This coating will serve to protect the panel from being damaged or broken and will also serve to further insulate the building construction against the weather.

FIGURE 4 illustrates one type of cam device for actuating the weather-tight mechanism by drawing the sealing block, 14, against the panels which in turn are pressed against the face of the mounting frame. The mounting frame illustrated in FIGURE 3 is provided with holes on either end for receiving the assembly pin, 42, of the cam locking device while the locking bar itself is provided with a hole, 17, to receive the cam disc, 41. The cam disc is turned by the handle, 43, which is fastened to the assembly pin. As is obvious to those skilled in the art, when two cam type devices are used with the type of assembly illustrated, the respective cam devices may be connected through suitable linkages and activated by a single handle located inside the building construction.

FIGURE 5 illustrates an alternate device or means for actuating the weather-tight locking device to cause it to press against the panels to be sealed against the weather. The device illustrated is of the sliding carriage or screw type which is attached to either the base construction or to the mounting frame, 31, and connected to the locking bar, 11. The sealing device is drawn against the panels by turning the crank, 53, by means of the knob, 52, which, in turn, activates the carriage or screw, 51, which draws the locking bar into the mounting device causing the sealing block to be pressed against the panels conveniently sealing out the elements.

As will be obvious from the drawings and the description, other devices may be just as suitable as those illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5 for drawing the weathertight locking device against the panels. These would include, without limitation thereto, ratchet and pawl, lever type and spring loaded devices.

From the drawings and the foregoing description it should be apparent that the weather-tight seal is achieved when the sealing block, 14, presses against the panels, 15. When the panels are of the butt joint type as is illustrated in FIGURE 1, the locking bar may be designed with a channel for receiving the lower edge of the sliding panel. In such a configuration when in the closed position the sealing block will be pressed against the panel which in turn will be fixedly pressed against the inside bank of the channel and/or against the outer face, 34, of the mounting frame.

When using overlapping or by-pass panel construction of the type illustrated in FIGURE 2 the sealing block, 14, and the outer face, 34, of the mounting frame must be designed so as to conform to the overlapping or .bypass panel configuration.

The present invention also contemplates having weather-tight locking devices on the bottom, top, or sides of the glazing unit or doorway. In this regard FIGURE 6 illustrates a glazing unit of the butt type sliding panel design which has a weather-tight reverse locking device on all four sides of the unit.

The panels, locking bar and mounting frame may be fabricated from any of the well-known building materials commonly used in the building trades and construction art. For example, the sliding panels may be glass, wood, plastic, metal, etc. The locking bar and mounting frame may be constructed from wood; metals such as aluminum, magnesium, stainless steel, etc.; plastics such as rigid polyvinyl chloride, polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene, etc.

In a similar fashion, the devices shown in FIGURES 4 and 5 for actuating the Weather-tight sealing mechanism may be of the construction conventionally used in the art.

The sealing block which is used to seal out weather and elements is detachedly fixed to the locking bar on the outside (weather side) of the panels. The conventional means for attaching the sealing block to the locking bar include adhesives, pins, clips, nails, screws, etc. Alternately the locking bar and the sealing block may be constructed to provide mechanical interlocking of these two components such as with interlocking dovetail, tongue and groove or finger joints. A detachable mounting will enable the sealing block to be changed or replaced if so desired or if it becomes necessary. This sealing block must be of a soft and resilient nature which will enable it to be pressed against and conform to the surface of the panels. This material may be rigid, semirigid, or spongy in nature so long as it has the property of pressing against the panels to form a weather-tight seal. Preferably, the sealing block is fabricated from a non-abrasive synthetic resin such as plasticized or unplasticized polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, etc. Also contemplated are sealing blocks made from natural and synthetic rubbers. Equally useful are sealing blocks which are fabricated from natural and synthetic foams such as foamed rubber, foamed polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane foam, and other thermoplastic synthetic resin foams.

The foregoing materials are also excellent coatings for the face of the mounting frame that comes in contact with the panels when the unit is in the sealed position.

The novel reverse clamp locking device of the present invention affords an excellent means for sealing sliding Windows, doors and other related construction from the weather and elements such as wind, rain, dust, pollen, smog, fog, etc.

It should be obvious from the foregoing that many modifications and variations may be made in the present invention without departing from the scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. An improved weather-tight locking device for panels such as sliding doors, sliding windows and other related construction which comprises:

(a) a mounting frame adapted to be fastened to the sill of an opening in a structure and to receive the lower edge of a panel, said mounting frame having an upper and a lower half which define a channel therebetween open to the weather side of the mounting frame,

(b) a locking bar having a flat portion adapted to be slidably engaged with said channel of the mounting frame and an upwardly turned weather side portion,

(c) a sealing block attached to the weather side portion of the locking bar wherein the sealing block will press directly against the outside of the panels when the locking bar is in a closed position to provide a weather-tight seal, and

(d) means for moving the locking bar and the sealing block attached thereto in the channel of the mounting frame to bring the sealing block into direct contact with the outside of the panel to form a weathertight seal.

2. The improved weather-tight reverse locking device of claim 1 wherein the sealing block is a thermoplastic resinous material.

3. The sealing block of claim 2 prepared from polyvinyl chloride.

4. The sealing block of claim 2 prepared from a synthetic resin foam.

5. The Weather-tight reverse locking device of claim 1 wherein the locking bar is moved forward against the panel by one or more crank actuating screw type devices.

6. The weather-tight reverse locking device of claim 1 wherein the locking bar is moved forward against the panel by one or more cam type devices.

7. The improved weather-tight reverse locking device of claim 1 used with by-pass sliding panels.

8. The improved weather-tight reverse locking device of claim 1 used with butt type sliding panels.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 731,006 6/ 1903 Wolfensperger 493 1 7 1,162,978 12/1915 Clevenger 493 16 X 1,728,344 9/ 1929 Hellstrand 49413 X FOREIGN PATENTS 963,542 7/ 1964 Great Britain.

KENNETH DOWNEY, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 49449 

